Good First Live Steam Model Locomotive

[mugbuilder]

Feb 11, 2021 20:48:13 GMT Oily Rag said:

For a small 5" first time loco, perhaps consider "Blowfly"

mesupplies.com.au/product/drawings-locomotive-castings-5-gauge-blowfly/

The designer frequents this forum, and nice work it is.

Thanks for the kind comments Dazza. The only castings required for the 'Blowfly' are the cylinders, steamchests and wheels. Maid of kent and Simplex wheels can be used as I used these for the first few that i built and the drawings in the 'Blowfly book' are using them . The design was done in 1986 and is all in imperial but is easy enough to convert to Metric.

Barry

[JonL]

Feb 15, 2021 2:09:52 GMT mugbuilder said:

Feb 11, 2021 20:48:13 GMT Oily Rag said:

For a small 5" first time loco, perhaps consider "Blowfly"

mesupplies.com.au/product/drawings-locomotive-castings-5-gauge-blowfly/

The designer frequents this forum, and nice work it is.

Thanks for the kind comments Dazza. The only castings required for the 'Blowfly' are the cylinders, steamchests and wheels. Maid of kent and Simplex wheels can be used as I used these for the first few that i built and the drawings in the 'Blowfly book' are using them . The design was done in 1986 and is all in imperial but is easy enough to convert to Metric.

Barry

It's a lovely looking design, and the finished article looks beautfully proportioned. My only question is, how did such a pretty looking locomotive get such an unflattering name? 

[andyhigham]

the more common name for a blowfly is a "Bluebottle"

[dscott]

I started with a complex Locomotive in 1977 and I have enjoyed doing bits in between LIFE ever since.
Yes she is a long term model and While I waited for the NEW MILLING MACHINE MOTOR TO COOL DOWN!! TODAY!!
Rough tile rod sawed the number 6 wheel for her.

I love close to scale and another COUGH Great Western Locomotive I love, has her frames cut out and drilled!



Yes the marking out takes days but remember any mistakes will transfer 3 more times.





Interestingly the bottom pair are done on a modified Speedy frames. Much use of Mig Welding
and trimming down 5/16" on the top of them.
Such a subtle slight angle of the Cylinders makes a difference.
These will be mounted on a larger plate just Like the Class 2 and Black Five.
Then I can fit the little webbed pieces all round just like the full size.

David and Lily.

[dashik]

Thanks again to everyone for the replies and support, I am going toe build the 5' Speedy/GWR 15xx and I'm following several threads here including Rodgers epic 700 page one.....

Its a nice compromise between size and ease of build, I can get a boiler made if required and there is plenty of support around.

I have posted a request on the forums but if anyone is able to point me to a source where I can purchase the works drawings I would be grateful.

Regards

James

[JonL]

I think its worth bearing in mind the previous comments about the difficulties with this build; the valve gear, the tapered boiler etc... it's one I think most would be wary of, however you have to build something you WANT to build in order to maintain motivation for however many years it takes.

Whatever you decide, good luck and keep us fully informed so we can cheer you on.

[dscott]

James,
Roger did another design of the boiler as it is TOO BIG!!
Just like the 4500 Prairie Tank. I discovered this on the eve of sending for the Boiler Kit 1977.
Yes and much change out of £100 back then.
I did one with John Short when I had done the drawing. My first!!

Go and type into the search box of Station Road Steams search. 3209. AND Dream!
The builder Mr J S Jackson who got to know famous Model Builder Mr Louis Raper and we begin to understand where the quality comes from.
Yes she got me started on this quest as well. 2007 the year our Daughter was born!!
Note that she looks longer and lower down than the Speedy which is very out of proportion.
5/16" off the frames and a smaller boiler making such a difference.

Best regards.
David and Lily.

[mugbuilder]

Feb 15, 2021 17:28:53 GMT JonL said:

Feb 15, 2021 2:09:52 GMT mugbuilder said:

Thanks for the kind comments Dazza. The only castings required for the 'Blowfly' are the cylinders, steamchests and wheels. Maid of kent and Simplex wheels can be used as I used these for the first few that i built and the drawings in the 'Blowfly book' are using them . The design was done in 1986 and is all in imperial but is easy enough to convert to Metric.

Barry

It's a lovely looking design, and the finished article looks beautfully proportioned. My only question is, how did such a pretty looking locomotive get such an unflattering name? 

I made the first one as a spec build and as i was finishing it The crew from the proposed Australian Model engineering Magazine happened to visit my workshop and commented that it would be a good project to launch the new Magazine with. In a moment of weakness I relented and decided that it would need a real Aussie name. I thought that there would be a lot made and be buzzing around the tracks and be a real nuisance, Just like their namesakes. I was right.

[lesstoneuk]

Sorry, I know this is a bit off topic but it's a question that's sticking in my head. Has anyone done a 94xx using Pansy frames, Speedy boiler and cab and a custom drumhead smoke box saddle.

[John Baguley]

A chap at our club had one built for him some years ago. I know it used a Pansy chassis as I did some work on it for him to improve the valve gear but I don't know what boiler was used.

I think it was built by David Aitkin? as a commision. Very nice loco.

John

[dashik]

Well, It's been a while since I posted in this thread.

Just to update, I bit the bullet and bought the castings for the wheels for the Speedy in 5" last month. I have to say a huge thanks to Roger for the assistance so far. I'm reading his main thread with interest.

I've mainly been finishing off the workshop and hope to start actually making parts in the new year and have joined my local model engineering society.

[dscott]

Hi and welcome back,
Hopefully you went to Blackgates for your wheels as Reeves is more expensive and supply the wrong ones.

I got 2 sets and a set for replacing the Jinty ones which were both the same casting.

David and Lily.

[samc88]

I'm currently making my very first Loco which is a 31/2" Tich, mainly because I just want to build a Loco to see if I can build one rather than build one to run on a circuit. Quite an enjoyable little thing to build and learn Loco bits on and fairly inexpensive. Like I say though, I doubt I'll ever be pulled behind it on any distance and any steaming will be done on a short stretch in the garden

[JonL]

Nov 10, 2021 0:51:48 GMT samc88 said:

I'm currently making my very first Loco which is a 31/2" Tich, mainly because I just want to build a Loco to see if I can build one rather than build one to run on a circuit. Quite an enjoyable little thing to build and learn Loco bits on and fairly inexpensive. Like I say though, I doubt I'll ever be pulled behind it on any distance and any steaming will be done on a short stretch in the garden

Start a thread if you haven't already, we would love to see it. 

[Kevan]

James, I just caught up with your thread. I am possibly about a year ahead of you on the same trajectory! I decided to buy a part built Rob Roy and have taken it to pieces and put it back together and endeavouring to make it work! I am in central Edinburgh and a member of ESMES. My Rob Roy is going to look like an Andrew Barclay pug, specifically one of the last locos that worked in Edinburgh. Rob Roy is actually not that accurate a model of the Caley 839 though it does look the part. I am happy to meet up and you can see what I have done and get an idea of the size of the Rob Roy.

Kevan

[lesstoneuk]

As better men than me have said, go with what fires your passion, its no point going with an A3 when you're a full blood GWR man. Bear in mind your abilities (although they will improve as you go). Consider your resources, your lifting capabilites, your transport and your finances.
My choice for a BR Class 76 came down to my ability to carry... I'm not what I used to be since the dreaded lurgey of 2020.
My finances... No way can I afford a boiler.
My transport... I've got a DS3.
Good luck in your quest, its one of the hardest things to do is decide on your first loco.
Above all, keep asking questions, no matter how trivial. We've all been where you are.